You’re a Little Mischievous Today

When Qiao Xi and Huo Sijiao returned to their seats, the auction was nearing its end.

Beside Huo Xingzhou sat a long red velvet box, likely containing his most recent purchase.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent row, Huo Beiting was arrogantly flaunting the Pine and Crane Longevity Painting, proudly showing it off to an eager crowd.

The onlookers, full of flattery and sycophancy, eagerly complimented him.

The position of the Huo family heir was no small matter—it was the pinnacle of Haicheng society. Huo Beiting, they thought, was truly born under a lucky star.

"With such a masterpiece in hand, Huo Old Master will surely be thrilled."

"I've heard the 70th birthday banquet will also announce your position as the heir. When that happens, we hope you'll look out for us!"

Huo Beiting, basking in the attention, waved his hand dismissively, grinning. "Nothing's decided yet."

"Who could possibly compete with you? That cripple? Ha, he's not even a real man anymore."

The crowd's flattery swelled Huo Beiting's ego further. He cast a mocking, disdainful glance at Huo Xingzhou, the superiority in his narrowed phoenix eyes unmistakable.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the hall.

"Master Qi is here!"

"Qi Sanshi? Why would he come? I heard he helped authenticate the Pine and Crane Longevity Painting, but he didn't issue a certificate. I wonder why."

Qi Sanshi, a renowned cultural relic authenticator in China, hailed from a family of experts and was nicknamed "Living History." Any artifact verified by him would see its value skyrocket.

Huo Xingzhou calmly sipped from a celadon tea cup, the bitterness of the tea hidden behind a faint smile curling at his lips.

The stage was set.

He pushed another cup of tea toward Qiao Xi. "Your lips are chapped. Have some tea to soothe them."

Qiao Xi was momentarily distracted by the elegance of his long, slender fingers. Taking the cup, she murmured her thanks.

In the hall, Qi Sanshi's arrival caused a stir.

"Master Qi!"

"It's an honor to have you here, truly!"

A crowd gathered around him, eager to curry favor. Even Huo Beiting hoped to make his acquaintance, perhaps inviting him to the upcoming birthday banquet.

Qi Sanshi's expression was grave as he asked, "Has the Pine and Crane Longevity Painting been auctioned off yet?"

"It's been sold!"

"It was purchased by our esteemed Huo Da Shao for 35 million without batting an eye! He intends to gift it to Old Master Huo as a token of filial piety. None of us could ever match such devotion."

Huo Beiting puffed out his chest with pride. Beside him, Su Weiwei clung to his arm, chiming in, "Our Beiting is nothing if not filial. Not like that second branch—stingy as ever, spending only 100,000 on some useless trinket."

"And where is the painting?" Qi Sanshi asked urgently.

"Here." Huo Beiting handed over the luxurious brocade box. "Feel free to inspect it at your leisure. I'm in no rush to take it home."

Qi Sanshi carefully unrolled the painting. The pine trees and cranes appeared lifelike, bursting with vitality. Once again, the crowd gasped in awe.

"Tch, such a show-off," Huo Sijiao muttered sourly.

Qiao Xi turned to Huo Xingzhou, sensing his unusually good mood.

Why?

Amid the throng, Qi Sanshi meticulously examined the painting with a magnifying glass and tweezers, his expression growing heavier by the moment. Finally, he clutched his chest and exclaimed loudly,

"This is wrong! All wrong!"

Slapping his thigh in frustration, he lamented, "It's my fault for not catching it earlier."

"Master Qi, what's wrong?" the crowd inquired curiously.

Huo Beiting's heart sank, a terrible foreboding creeping in.

"This painting is a forgery!"

The declaration fell like a thunderclap.

"It can't be! How could it be a fake?" Huo Beiting stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

"Master Qi, are you sure? This... this paper, the colors, the age—they all seem authentic!"

"Did someone bribe you? How can you say such a thing? Jia De Auction House has never dealt in counterfeits!" Su Weiwei's face twisted in rage, her shrill voice cutting through the room.

Qi Sanshi shook his head in regret. "The paper's age is correct, and the seals and inkstone are genuine, but the painting itself is an imitation! The forger's skills are extraordinary—even I was deceived. But if you get close and smell carefully, beneath the artificially aged scent is a faint hint of fresh ink."

Ancient paintings lose their ink scent over time.

"Now that you mention it..."

"I wouldn't have dared sniff it up close, but it's true!"

"A fake! I always suspected that the Pine and Crane Longevity Painting had been lost to history!"

The crowd buzzed with astonishment at the cleverness of the forgery, which used authentic Tang Dynasty paper to mislead even experts.

Huo Beiting's face drained of color. A wave of icy humiliation swept over him.

"No... no way!"

Su Weiwei gritted her teeth, her face crimson. "Beiting, don't listen to him! This old man..."

"Shut up, you meddlesome woman!" Huo Beiting shoved her aside, veins bulging in his neck.

Qi Sanshi sighed deeply. "Huo Da Shao, it's a pity. If only I'd arrived sooner... But a fake cannot become real. And we all know the rules of Jia De Auction House."

The policy was clear: buyers assumed all risks.

The 35 million yuan was gone, leaving Huo Beiting to face ridicule as a fool who couldn't tell real from fake.

Huo Xingzhou set down his tea cup, feigning concern. "Cousin, thank you for your generosity in bidding so high. The painting may be fake, but your filial piety is unparalleled."

The mocking words were the last straw. Blood surged up Huo Beiting's throat, and he collapsed in a faint.

"Huo Da Shao!"

"Beiting, don't scare me! Call an ambulance!"

Behind them, Huo Sijiao stifled her laughter, whispering, "Serves him right. What goes around comes around."

"Let's go," Huo Xingzhou said coolly, his reserved demeanor carrying an understated allure.

Qiao Xi, her lips curving in a faint smile, pushed his wheelchair out of the hall. His good mood was infectious, lifting her spirits as well.

Trailing behind, Huo Sijiao chattered incessantly. "He's such a sore loser. If he'd gracefully admitted it was a forgery, people might've respected his composure. But fainting from rage? So petty!"

She puffed up with pride. "My brother would never act like that."

"Mm."

Qiao Xi nodded in agreement.

At the entrance, Huo Xingzhou glanced at her. "I've arranged for a driver to take you home."

"What? I have to part with Sister-in-law already?" Huo Sijiao pouted. "Fine, I'll leave you two to your private time. Goodbye, Sister-in-law!"

"Goodbye. Take care!" Qiao Xi waved warmly as Huo Sijiao got into her car.

In the black Rolls-Royce, Qiao Xi sat beside Huo Xingzhou, her mind still racing from the day's dramatic events.

Night had fallen, and the amber glow of streetlights bathed her in a soft, golden hue. Her dark hair cascaded over her porcelain neck, lending her an ethereal beauty.

"Huo Sir," she called softly.

"Mm?" His voice was rich and languid, carrying an irresistible charm.

She gazed at him for a long moment before speaking in a gentle tone.

"I think... you were a little mischievous today."